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Category Archives: STEM

“Just before an historically successful spacecraft launch in 2012, SpaceX asked me to design
graphic prints to be used in science classrooms across America. Shown are the results followed
by early graphic explorations (because it’s all about exploration).”

Washington, DC, April 15, 2016 – Lockheed Martin has launched Generation Beyond, a first of its kind, national educational program to bring the science of space into thousands of homes and classrooms across America. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, explorers, inventors and pioneers to pursue STEM careers.

“Our children — the elementary, middle and high school students of today — make up a generation that will change our universe forever. This is the generation that will walk on Mars, explore deep space and unlock mysteries that we can’t yet imagine,” said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They won’t get there alone. It is our job to prepare, inspire and equip them to build the future – and that’s exactly what Generation Beyond is designed to do.”

The new STEM education program will offer several interactive tools to engage and inspire students and educators:

Online Curriculum: The core element is an online curriculum for middle school teachers and students, including lesson plans for teachers, a virtual field trip and activities students can bring home to share with their families. The deep space curriculum will be shared freely with thousands of middle schools across the country, reaching hundreds of thousands of American students.

Lockheed Martin Mars Experience Bus: In addition to the curriculum, Generation Beyond includes a real-life Mars Experience Bus that will travel the country providing student riders with an interactive experience simulating a drive along the red planet’s surface. The Lockheed Martin Mars Experience Bus is the first immersive virtual reality vehicle ever built and replicates 200 square miles of the Martian surface. The Mars Experience was built with the same software used in today’s most advanced video games.

Lockheed Martin has long played a leadership role in both space exploration and STEM education. Partnering with NASA, Lockheed Martin has been involved in every single U.S. Space Mission, including each journey to Mars. And over the past five years, Lockheed Martin has contributed almost $70 million to STEM programs, and maintained strong partnerships with National 4-H Council, Girls Inc., National Geographic, Project Lead the Way, National Science Teachers Association, Girls Who Code and FIRST Robotics.

“Generation Beyond is a perfect example of Lockheed Martin’s ingenuity in using cutting-edge technology and high quality curricula to encourage young people to explore STEM fields in a hands-on way that will stay with them for a lifetime,” Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “4-H and Lockheed Martin are dedicated to creating interactive, experiential programs that ignite passion for STEM topics in young people, then help guide them down a pathway for a fulfilling STEM career. What better way to engage young students than getting them excited about exploring space?”

“I am a cheerleader for anyone who wants to be an engineer. I think everybody should be an engineer or at least get an engineering background – even if you don’t work professionally as an engineer, I think it provides such an extraordinary problem solving ability. So I cheerlead for anyone. We continue to give to the Frank J. Redd Student scholarship competition – I don’t manage that anymore – I speak at high schools, grade schools, and universities, to encourage people who would never consider being engineers to become engineers. I think it is just something that will create a much better world if more people focus on being engineers – or physicists.”

via RE/CODE: “Spending on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education in public education about equals what we spend on beer. Not beer and pizza. Not beer and wine. Beer,” Gwynne Shotwell said on Tuesday, speaking onstage at the first Makers Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we dropped five points in the last 15-year-olds’ math and science test.”

“I want to see my children go to Mars. And I’d love to see my grandchildren go to other galaxies,” said Shotwell, who admitted that she became an engineer because she saw one speak and liked her suit and shoes. “I actually feared telling this story for years, but I’m 50 now, so I can do whatever I want.”

“Barbie I Can Be… dolls and accessories let girls play out different roles and “try on” fabulous careers, including astronaut. Always a pioneer, Barbie doll is ready for her thrilling mission to Mars in a stylish and functional suit — sure to dazzle any alien life form she encounters! The sleek, white jumpsuit is decorated with metallic pink accents and a Barbie logo in black. Plus, she comes with all the necessary accessories — large boots, air tank, and helmet with clear visor — for outta-this-world adventures and explorations! “

“This image is one of my favorites because it epitomizes the fact that: we’re people, we’re in a special place, we have people living in space…space was Tracy’s vantage point, it was my vantage point, it’s been the vantage point of several hundred people. And it’s where we live. We don’t just live here on the Earth. We live here and we live in the solar system – and I just love this picture that Tracy took.”

“Real people are doing real things – which they need to do – and they’re up in space.”